The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-10
PLANSOF THE CONSPIRATORS
The Revolutionists Now Trying to Avert
the Reaction Against Them.
Wavering in Their Support of the Jennings
County Usurper, but Ready to Do Any
thing to Get the Senatorship.

thing to Get the Senatorship.
An intelligent solution of the legislative situa-
ton does not come easy. The carefulness with
which both parties are guarding their advan
tages leaves great deal to speculation It is
manifest though, that the Democrats have lost
commence to some extent in the position they
noio oy their senatorial majority, and it is be-
iieved that, had they known the consequences
so clearly at the beginning of their revolutionary
proceedings as they do now, their acts would
have been modified by advice that was summari-
~ rejected in the That the
Democratic Senators were not unanimous
IN the support Of the Green Smith idea as it was
developed the remarks of one of them yester-
day show 1--WE are held together" he said.
'for the accomplishment of certain purpose
l, with Others was opposed to the plans and the
action following. but when majority of the
caucus demanded our adhesion we agreed to give
our support up to certain point When that
Is reached it does not matter to us who is Lieu
tenant-governor We realize now that the party
has been placed in bad position. The conse-
quences, it is thought by some of us. will be de-
feat in 1888. 1t cannot be helped now, though
break in the line is possible at any moment"
| 1t is presumed that the purpose the moderate
Democrats are willing to assist in accomplishing
! goes no further than means and methods which
| may be used in preserving the alleged Demo
| cratic majority on joint ballot If they succeed
In doing this their adhesion to caucus rule ceases.
| we are willing" said another Democrat, ''to
have Colone. Robertson preside the joint
convention of the two houses when it meets to
| elect United States Senator. and we further
/ willing TO let him preside now over the Senate
under the rules adopted. provided we have suhi-
cient assurance that our means of proposed con-
tests will not be disturbed obstrucred"
The guerrilla Senators regret the hasty action in
| the adoption OF their arbitrary rules. If it could
| be done over again their despotsm would wait
| upon Judgment AS it is, the warning the con-
| spirators received from one in their council has
| been fulfilled in reactionary measures, and they
| find themselves held under conditions which will
not allow them to begin their long talked of con-
tests on senatorial seats. 1t was the original de-
| sign to begin at once the raid Republicans
who could not move a step toward relief from
| the tyranny of majority but events
of the past week have made them
| not only cautious, but apprehensive Of the re-
suits They were ready to proceed against
Shroyer of Cass, Mcdonald of jackson. Har-
| ness of Howard and Kennedy OF Rush, the con-
|
dropped entirely, but danger appeared where
| they did not look for it. except as something
| that could be, and yet 1t will not probably oc-
| cur. Added to these contests others held in
allegiance for contingencies. 1t was decided to
| throw the Senators ont of their seats as relent-
| 1essly and lawlessly as they organized the
Senate, but the adoption of the rules, devilish in
arbitrariness and malignant in purposes, checked
the dastardly scheme in a singular manner.
These rules were printed, ready for dstr;bu-
ton to Senators at the proper time, although
each Demos had copy of them They were
to be withheld until after they were adopted
,hus1a copy of them vent astras and fell into the
baAds of the opposition. 1t was not fatal but
an aegravating mistake, which could not be rec
tilted. Therefore with spirit of desperation,
the majority adopted them regardless of what
might follow. When it appeared that the rules
would work both ways there desire to
draw in two lines of battle and take the
defensive. This was done by deferrne action on
the contests until the Republican House showed
its purposes in that direction
I'VE do not propose to commit any, overt act
until the House begins contesting Democratic
| seats" said a leader of the conspirators last
| serve maj GRITTY. AS soon the first contest
is brought in the House the trouble will begin,
and it will not end until we are sure of still be.
ing anead of the Repu blicans. Ii contests
are brought by the Republicans none will be in
stituted by the Democrats but l tell you, when
we 90 start in cutting down the Senate ma
jority the work will be done speedily and effect
ually."
This is suggestive of there being some truth in
| wh4t Republican member OF the House said
last night "a Democratic Senator told me,
. he remarked, that Green Smith, under the ad
vice of his party's majority. was willing to sur
: render the gavel to Colonel Rohesrson. condi
ton that contests would be Instituted by the
Republicans, and in that event none would be
thought of by Democrats, although they repre
sent they are not sure of one two of their owl
3 votes the senatorial question" 1t is be
lieved that the Democrats expect to take the rsl
! on these conditions, in the belief that they
, keep their line straight and up to the required
strength by the use of power not unknown t,
INSCRIPTIONS politicians.
Further, the conspirators making a grea
? deal of Smiths assumed magnanimty in Offering
: to waive all forms and submit his title to tn
Supreme Court '''rhe pleadings can be pre-
pared in an hour. The briefs all ready. Thos
used in the first will answer" explained e.,
: enthusiast for this mode Of settlement. and de
= cision be had by Friday" An interpreta
a ton, and the only one entertained by many i
. that the murmurs of discomfort in the Senate
: rial majority, caused by opposition anon
: | House Democrats to any further wrangliug o
= the maintenance of usurped power by tn
interruptions of their party's majority il
the Senate. IS that the Smith crowd of conspira
. tors are afraid to go further
''This thing" said Democrat, lis becoming
tiresome. We were not sent here to wrangl
. over political advantages at q cost to the Stat
a of 81, 800 per day. The farmers will not stan
n it and 1t will not be wise for anyone engaged 1
:. its continuance to ask further favors from hi
= constituency. Our party has enjoyed brIe
! advantage but it is beginning to 60 away froI
Is U.S.
D Another peculiar feature of the allece
q strength of the Democrats and their ability
mold out to the end is as one member of the col
spirators expressed it, "Green Smith wan,
more law" He and his friends spent yesterda
in industriously searching for it, but to the ou
side world they show unaltered confidence j
what they are able to do. 1t ia an exhibition
h. hraooadocia for the least rnmor of Some Wild,
N | A. -